CELEBRATING FFA WEEK Local FFA chapters helping to raise best of young Americans

By John Derby On Feb 28, 2021

Times Publisher John Derby

Editor’s note: Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. It’s a time to share what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day. This year, FFA Week is being celebrated through Feb. 27.

In all my years as publisher, there has never been a better program for helping to raise our young people in the American tradition than the Future Farmers of America, or today known simply as the FFA.

This community is so proud of the program, and the young people, their parents and the advisors who are involved.

Yes there are many local programs to help young residents grow, thrive and be successful in the future. However, there continues to be a strong FFA tradition that almost guarantees active student members will become Red, White and Blue solid American citizens who will be the achievers of tomorrow.

Coming in March, this newspaper will honor local FFA students with our annual FFA Special Section insert. We will profile FFA members, and their animal projects in particular, with hopes of bringing higher auction prices that they have received in the past.

We ask the community to join with us in recognizing our FFA students and their achievements.

All of these students are required to have “Supervised Agricultural Experience” (SAE) projects. These projects serve as a great way to apply classroom principles in the real world. Many of these projects involve animals which they have raised. At the end of the school year, the animals are sold to the highest bidder, and the money is used for college.

Normally, the auction would take place in person in the arena during the Merced County Fair; however, this year because of the Coronavirus, that is unlikely.

Yet many of these fine young men and women have spent many months raising their animals, or developing other agricultural projects.

As a community, we need to support their efforts in spite of the pandemic.

Let’s keep the spirit of FFA alive long after COVID-19 is gone for good.